The Anti Atlas mountains extend
from the
Atlantic Ocean in the southwest toward the northeast to the heights
of
Ouarzazate and further east to the city of Tafilalt (altogether a
distance of approximately 500 km). In the south it borders the Sahara.
The easternmost point of the Anti Atlas is the Jebel Sarhro mountains
and its eastern boundary is set by sections of the
High Atlas range. On the heights of Ouarzazate the massif is cut
through by the Draa valley which opens southward. In this chaos of rocks
the contrasts are astonishing: water runs in some remote places, forming
clear basins. The rare villages are reduced to a handful of small houses
surrounded by palm trees. The Anti Atlas is inhabited by the Chleuh
Berber. Their centre is the city of Tafraoute in the beautiful
Ameln
Valley.

The summits of the Anti Atlas
reach heights of 2,500-2,700 m. To the north lies a plateau 1,700–1,800
m in height. To the south lie the Sahara highlands at approximately 700
m. One peak, Jebel Siroua, of volcanic origin, reaches 3,304 m.
The area is a dissected plateau with a wide range of volcanic features,
including numerous craters and lava plugs. Siroua is located about 30
miles (50 km) southeast of Toubkal, and thus it is in the rain shadow of
the High Atlas, receiving much less precipitation. The
Anti Atlas range is strongly fissured, particularly in a southerly direction.

In the Anti Atlas the
precipitation annually is typically below 200 mm, while the climatic
conditions on the north and west slopes are locally more favourable.
Climatically the mountains are separated by the
High Atlas to the north and the Mediterranean's influence and belong
to the Sahara climate zone.

In the most moderate areas to the
west and the north, large surfaces are covered with thyme, rosemary and
other low-water demand plants like Argan. The quilt-like cover is
endangered by overgrazing, and in the south little but thorn shrubs
remain. Most agriculture takes place at oasis locations and along the
rivers, and is heavily reliant on spring runoff. There is some dry-land
agriculture: barley is cultivated with limited yields in the highlands.
The transition to the desert is gradual as you move southward.

The landscape is marked by
picturesque kasbahs (castles) which are found in many places in the
region including the older parts of
Agadir. In former times the kasbah was important as a place of
shelter, and a supply depot for kinsmen. In close proximity to these
settlements, terraced fields with dry-stone retaining walls cover the
landscape. However, increasingly, houses are vacated and fields left
uncultivated. With the continued migration from the land the irrigation
systems necessary for agriculture are also decaying.

Not to be Missed

The drive from
Tiznit to Tafraoute
is one of the most spectacularly beautiful that you can make in Morocco.
The amazing splendour of the Anti Atlas mountains, the contrast between
oasis greenery and barren mountain slopes and the bizarre lunar
landscape around Tafraoute make this drive very worthwhile and
memorable.

The village of Tata is a pretty oasis on the far side of the Anti Atlas
mountains. The road climbs up through rocky canyons to 2000m and out
here doesn't go much further than Tata so you will be safely 'away from
it all'. Rose-coloured walls and arcaded streets are surrounded by the
beautiful palms made fertile by the water off the mountains. In the
summer the temperatures can reach 50°C. One place
in Tata is truly luscious, and that is the park where nobody appears to
do anything but water the plants. Look out for all the butterflies.

The town of Taroudannt is an easy-going Berber
market town, known as "Little Marrakech", whose
souks are an excellent place to shop for
traditional jewellery, but without the hustle & bustle of the real
Marrakech. A tour of the city's ramparts is a pleasant way to spend some
time enjoying the fine views of the
town and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Tiout, 36 km south east of Taroudannt, has
ruins of a very impressive kasbah. In 1952, this kasbah was used as
decor for the film Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The oasis of
Tiout is green and fresh. Through the palm groves run small roads and
water canals. In all, this is among the best organized oasis you could
come across in Morocco. You may like to have a
ride on a donkey hired out by the local villagers in the palmaraie.

Saadian Ramparts at Taroudannt Taroudannt Souk

Kasbah ruins at Tiout
Oasis at Tiout

At the base of the
Anti-Atlas and not far from
the coast is the city of Tiznit, famous for silver jewellery
craftsmen and a definite attraction for the traveller. Every Thursday
the ambulating souks of this region comes together in Tiznit, making up
the largest market within miles. Travelling further southwest towards
the Sahara is the town of Guelmim, often
nicknamed "Gateway to the Desert" (la
porte du désert), home to the biggest weekly camel market and famous for
the "Blue Men of the Desert".

Enquiries & Booking

To enquire about or to book a personalized private
Anti Atlas Mountain tour, please call us on +44(0)7713 615829 or send an email to
enquiries@erlebnis-tours-maroc.com
to discuss your itinerary and prices.